COMPANY BADGE IN; COMPANY PLAYER OUT

Blog 499. have you read them all?
Not sure I have, but yesterday it was eventually announced that Manchester City FC is to change its club badge after all these years. Well not too many years to be honest, below are the past badges. The new one, with not so subtle changes from the most recent, dog's breakfast, is due to be unveiled in the Summer 2016. A slip by the office of Intellectual Property let the secret out a little early, leaking it two days before Christmas.
After consultation with the fans and the club owners, the designer has come up with a version rather similar to the old ones. The modern (heraldic) version has been put to bed; too complex. The eagle has flown, the gold stars have gone to space and the motto "Superbia in proeli" lost in translation (Pride in battle). Not many knew what it meant anyway.

So the new badge includes diagonal stripes representing the three Manchester rivers, the Irwell, Medlock and Irk, the Lancashire red rose, the date of foundation 1894 and the ship denoting the importance of ocean going trade to the city.
There is no mention of Football or Club but since Manchester City is a global brand why should they bother?
Gary James, the "History of Football Badges" expert has checked this out and had suggested the return to the plain 1970s logo.
This falls in line with the owner's City Football Group's, other clubs, the MLS New York City FC and A league, Melbourne City. Corporate power of course.
In the meantime, poor old Vincent (Captain of the ship) Kompany only lasted a few minutes on his return to the team yesterday, apparently having recovered from injury but suffering again. Badge luck, Vincent.